White Rabbits at A&R

Call them a Spoon clone if you like — there’s more than a little truth to it — but White Rabbits’ new record Milk Famous veers in far more fascinating directions than Spoon’s last LP, the tepid sketches-as-songs collection Transference.

In particular, lead single “Heavy Metal” approaches minimalist, rhythm-powered indie rock in a fresh way, splitting the difference between dreamy and funky in an exceedingly graceful manner. “I’m Not Me” takes a more direct approach, blasting off into some legitimate rock ’n’ roll that somehow manages to jam My Bloody Valentine and Pixies into the same song.

Their live show is giddily energetic too, so Friday’s show at A&R should be a blast.